Movie Review: Project Hail Mary

Ah, yeah, a proper movie! Jokes aside, I remember hearing Christopher Miller and Phil Lord were working on a space movie based on a book. I had no idea about the book, but I knew these two were certified great directors. What I didn't expect was that this book was written by the same man who wrote The Martian. Needless to say, this movie ended up being very surprising. First of all, this is probably the sweetest space film I've seen in a while, with a ton of nice moments that really help the film feel far more optimistic about its subject matter. Next, this movie is insanely impressive. What could've been an easy-to-butcher film ended up surprisingly emotional, heartfelt, and staggeringly beautiful to watch. Enough of a pre-amble, let's get started on my review of Project Hail

PLOT: Surprisingly simple.

This film is the basic example of why sometimes less is more. The plot is point A to point B, get Ryan Gosling to far-off planet and get the McGuffin to save humanity. What makes it more is the presentation and the performance of a very isolated Gosling against basically a dude in a mocap suit. This film winds up being more purely because it is a simple idea. I love movies that take a premise as simple as this and expand on it with unique restrictions. A plot where the characters can only communicate at first through puppetry and symbols is so fun and needs to happen more in sci-fi rather than just "we translate through random stuff". They at least earn that bit.

CHARACTERS: Simple, but effective.

The characters remain simple throughout, allowing you to understand how they get from point A to point B. What genuinely shocked me was how I was gripped mostly by Ryan Gosling's plot by himself the whole way through and had it recontextualized by what information the ending gives us. It's so satisfying to see that this movie had an arc for him the whole time hidden behind its ending. It's a brilliant way to handle it and allows you to view him through entirely new eyes knowing it.

SHOTS: Stunning

In one of the most insane feats of talent from these filmmakers, this movie didn't use green screen at all. I looked into it and they mostly relied on VFX for the ships outside, but they made fully practical sets for the characters to interact with in any way which makes some of the shots in this movie fully insane. It's crazy how beautiful this movie looks knowing the green screen was avoided and any VFX were kept as practical as possible. It makes the movie look insanely beautiful. It makes sense that Greig Fraser, cinematographer of The Batman and Dune worked on this, considering all the shots are beyond magnificent.

SOUND: Daniel Pemberton, my beloved.

The composer of this movie, Daniel Pemberton, previously did Spider-Verse. It was no shock that the music in this movie was going to be incredible. The sound design, however, is also killer. Everything feels real and visceral, but it also just feels as though every vibration and snap goes down your spine. The best sound design makes you feel the movie in your bones, which this movie does in spades.

WRITING: Andy Weir.

Considering the writer for the book was Andy Weir and the screenwriter here was Drew Goddard, the screenwriter behind Cabin in the Woods, The Martian, and Cloverfield, this man knew how to keep it respectful while also bringing something new to a great book. I am planning to read the book as soon as possible. But, the writing is terrifically human and, from what I've seen of The Martian, it's a common thing for Andy Weir. He's very good at writing very real feeling people.

LITTLE THINGS: Just the vibes.

This movie is beyond optimistic despite its topic and feels very comfy as a movie. I just enjoy being able to go watch a movie with a happy ending and no downers when there's such difficulties in my current life. While there is sadness and unhappy moments, there's a sense of triumph and wonder at just how cool space is and how beautiful our planet is. It's just... perfect in that regard.

VERDICT: An excellent show of space and beauty.

Overall, when there's not much to complain about, I keep reviews short. This one is an example. Just a well-crafted popcorn film that thrives on its simplicity. With this simplicity being really only upset by what I would call a by-the-numbers plot, everything else is just remarkable. Watch this movie.

SCORE: 9/10, pleasantly beautiful.